The history of sports probably extends as far back as the existence of people as active beings. The history of sports informs a great deal about social changes and about the nature of sport itself.
In the current era, as technology changes at an exponential rate, the social impacts are varied and deep rooted. This implies a great deal of change in sports too.
As we move into the era of robotics, machines, transhumans, cyborgs, prosthetics and exoskeletons, the future of sports seems even more disrupted. And it raises questions at different levels.
On the ground level, how will sports and sports-viewing experiences evolve? On the next level, how will the sportsperson of the future look like? And on a much higher level, we raise questions on ethics in sports, sportsmanship, and team spirit.
2. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
3. The history of sports probably extends as far back as the existence of people
as active beings. The history of sports informs a great deal about social
changes and about the nature of sport itself.
In the current era, as technology changes at an exponential rate, the social
impacts are varied and deep rooted. This implies a great deal of change in
sports too.
As we move into the era of robotics, machines, transhumans, cyborgs,
prosthetics and exoskeletons, the future of sports seems even more
disrupted. And it raises questions at different levels.
On the ground level, how will sports and sports-viewing experiences
evolve? On the next level, how will the sportsperson of the future look
like? And on a much higher level, we raise questions on ethics in
sports, sportsmanship, and team spirit.
4. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
5. @2013, ICE, All rights reserved
The Gen Y “Fan” is the focal point of the sporting experience. The traditional
sports are being forced to transform into something more spectacular. As 3D
television sets, mobile phones and tablets enhance home viewing
experiences, sporting arenas are responding by improving their technologies
as well. The sporting experience of the future will give spectators and fans
the best of both the worlds – the thrill of a live game plus technology to stay
connected.
Top three things that are shaping the future of the sports experience:
• Changing rules & dynamics of sports
• In-stadia experiences
11. Is impatient
Has short attention span
Likes to multi-task
Needs instant gratification
Always seeks excitement
12. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
14. Why New Rules and Regulations for Sports?
The Gen Y Spectator is not interested in watching the traditional sports which
sometimes take a few days or a whole day to finish. The traditional approach in
sports makes spectators lose interest; they are too slow and don’t match their
expectations. They need quick entertainment along with a dazzling display of
skills for continuous excitement.
15. 5/9/2014 15
Cricket
International Cricket Council (ICC) changed the rules for One Day International
(ODI) Cricket by allowing only four instead of five fielders outside the 30 yard
circle after the mandatory field restrictions. This rule change has already
resulted in many exciting and intense games which have revived the interest of
spectators in ODI cricket.
16. 5/9/2014 16
Tennis
Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has changed the rule regarding
punishment for time violation (taking more than 25 seconds) between points in
2012. Under the new rule a server taking more than 25 seconds will be
penalized with a fault instead of point penalty after the one initial warning.
Returner who takes too much time will straightway be docked a full point.
17. 5/9/2014 17
Soccer
United State of America’s National Federation of State High School
Associations (NFHS) changed the rules of soccer in 2011-2012 and introduced
yellow card for any delayed, excessive or prolonged act by which a player
attempts to focus attention upon himself/herself and/or prohibits a timely restart
of the game.
18. 5/9/2014 18
Hockey
International Hockey Federation has changed the rules of hockey to make it
more exciting for viewers. The duration of hockey matches is now reduced to
60 minuets from traditional 70 minutes. The game will now be played in four
quarters of 15 minutes each, rather than traditional two halves of 35 minutes
each.
19. 5/9/2014 19
Hockey 5S
International Hockey Federation (FIH) has introduced a new simple and exciting
format of the game which has been specifically developed for Youth Olympic
Games of 2014. It is easy to adopt and can even be played with only four
players of each team on the field.
20. Badminton
In August 2006, the Badminton World Federation, or BWF, changed the laws of
badminton in order to add extra excitement to the game. The traditional 15
points format has been replaced with 21 points format.
21. Rugby
In 2013, International Rugby Board changed the laws regarding scrum
formation, which has resulted in more scrums off the floor, fewer resets, more
ball in play and a better spectacle.
22. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
23. Who will be our opponents on the sport field in
the future?
In 1996, IBM RS/6000 also called as Deep Blue, became the first machine to take on the
reigning World Chess Champion, Gary Kasparov. Although Kasparov lost the first game,
he eventually beat the Deep Blue in the following 5 games with a net score of 4-2.
The London 2012 Olympics were the first mainstream games to draw attention to the
role technology can play to overcome human limitations (Transhumans), Oscar Pistorius
from South Africa made history as he became the first Paralympics Champion to
compete in mainstream sports.
With the rise of Transhumanism and humanoid robots, advancement in genetics, the
battles on the sports field won’t be restricted to humans. Soon, the opponents in the
future may be genetically enhanced humans, cyborgs or humanoid robots.
“The impact of genetic modification will be profound. Athletics for example will
be transformed. You will have swimmers with webbed feet and built in snorkels”
-Arthur C. Clare, British Science Fiction Writer,
The Daily Telegraph, 2001.
24. 5/9/2014 24
Exoskeletons on Race Tracks
Considered as a possible future alternative to F1 racing, Prosthesis is a giant
exoskeleton in which humans could become hulking racing machines.
25. Robot Players
EARL (Enhanced Automated Robotic Launcher) is a state of the art bowling
robot designed to simulate any bowling style with consistency and accuracy. In
an attempt to test the robot, it was pitted against Professional Bowling
Association star Chris Barnes. In a game held at International Training &
Research Centre in Texas, Barnes prevailed 259-209. But, assisted with
machine learning and regular upgrades, the robot will soon get the better of
him.
Does this mean sports will evolve to make way for superior humans to
battle against machines?
26. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
27. Who Will Be Our Heroes?
Inventions in the field of Genetics, Robotics and Nanotechnology have led to
the assumption that a human being can adopt technology to surpass his/her
limitations.
Zoltan Istvan, visionary philosopher, quotes that many scientists and futurists
would call sportsmen who adopt technology to enhance themselves as
Inspirational Heroes, leading the way forward to discovering and pushing
human limitations.
“Many say performance enhancement drugs and technologies will be dangerous and will
shorten a competitive athletes life. That may be true but who are we to make that
decision for them? For some the passion of their sport and the glory of their performance
are the most important things in life to them. Should we really have a say in how far they
want to take their passion for the game?”
-Zoltan Istvan,
Visionary Philosopher,
Author of best selling novel, Transhumanist Wager.
28. 5/9/2014 28
Transhuman Athletes
Oscar Pistorious ran London Olympics 2012 with an artificial leg. This might just
be the beginning! Soon we might see Transhumans fighting it out with humans
on the sports field.
29. 5/9/2014 29
Transhumans vs. Transhumans
Cybathlon 2016 in Switzerland will be the first championship for robot-assisted
parathletes.
30. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
31. What Will Happen to Sportsmanship?
In the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics Russian cross-country skier Anton Gafarov
lay down stunned with a broken ski after a violent crash. His Olympic dream was
down in tatters. At that moment, a Canadian coach sprinted across the snow
and gave him another ski. (Source:
http://www.greatmomentsofsportsmanship.com/sochi-2014-sportsmanship-
moments/)
Machines are programmed to ‘Win’. How will such machines incorporate
sportsmanship in their programming? How will the rules of the game change to
preserve the element of sportsmanship?
32. 5/9/2014 32
Spirit of the Game
In a 2011 cricket test match between England and India, England’s Ian Bell
thought that he had hit the last ball for a boundary. Then, he moved on for a tea
break. To his disbelief, the ball did not cross the boundary and he was declared
out according to the rules of the game. However, opposition captain withdrew
the appeal and Bell was called back, hence, keeping the spirit of the game
alive.
When machines take over sports, will such game spirit exist?
33. 5/9/2014 33
Team Spirit
When Cameroon's women won the All-Africa Games gold for the first time in
2011 by beating Ghana 1-0 in the women's football final, one always talks of the
team spirit. All of history’s big wins have somewhere been linked to the team
spirit again and again.
Will there be such team spirit in a team of cyborgs,
transhumans and machines?
34. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
35. What Will Happen to Ethics and Morality?
In 1999, Golfer Tiger Woods underwent a surgery after which he had 20/15
vision (better than an accurate 20/20 vision). Following the surgery he won 7
out of the 10 events. Prominent golfers protested against this. The golfing
authorities had no comments on this subject.
Sports, today, are governed by many laws. Ethics and morality are an integral
part of sports. However, sometimes they are beyond the realms of set laws.
How will machines deal with the issue of ethics? In the future when we duel
with Genetically Advanced Humans and cyborgs or robots, how will the ethics
of sports change?
“The idea of a naturally perfect athlete is romantic nonsense, An athlete achieves what
he or she achieves through all sorts and means – technology, sponsorship, support and
so on. Utilizing Genetic Modification is merely a continuation of the way sport works; it
allows us to create extraordinary performances”
-Dr. Andy Miah,
Professor of Ethics & Emerging Technologies,
University of West Scotland.
Author of Genetically Modified Athletes: Biomedical Ethics and Sports
36. 5/9/2014 36
Changing Definitions
In 1904 Olympics, marathon runner Thomas Hicks ran to victory with the help of
raw egg, injections of strychnine and doses of brandy administered to him
during the race. Ancient Greek athletes used stimulating potions to fortify
themselves. Strychnine, caffeine, cocaine, and alcohol were regularly used by
cyclists in the 19th century. However, now most of these substances are
prohibited for sports. Blood boosting was prevalent in 1970s and banned by
IOC banned in 1986.
What will be considered doping in the future? Will we go back to the times
of the Greek?
37. 5/9/2014 37
Legal or Illegal
Lance Armstrong lost his seven Tour De France titles due to the doping
allegations against him. But if transhumans and robots become part of the
sports, then doping might become another way to achieving higher capabilities.
Ethicists also argue that doping is not different from the use of new materials in
the construction of suits and sporting equipment that aid performance and give
competitors an unfair advantage.
Will doping become legal in that case? Or will our definition of doping
change?
38. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
39. Will Sporting Records Be a Thing of the Past?
The human element introduces the element of uncertainty in sports. This
keeps the fans interested. Records are those uncertain moments when a
sportsperson creates history. As sportspersons with genetically modified
capabilities enter the sporting arenas we might be seeing the last of the records
held by a human being!
As robots make their way in, they will bring along technical capabilities that will
eliminate uncertainties, to a great extent. Will there be anything like sports
records in the future? Will record holders keep their titles for longer durations?
Will there be a rise of advanced humans or machines which make records
obsolete?
“Future moral objections of genetic enhancement will be replaced by
spectators with a desire to watch the fastest people scientists can
construct without asking too many questions how they did it”
-Professor John Dupre,
Professional Philosopher,
Scientist – Director,
ESRC Centre for Genomics in Society.
40. 5/9/2014 40
Banning the Hi-tech?
London Olympics banned high-tech swimming suits that compressed the
swimmer’s body to make it more streamlined, buoyant and less fatigue-able
thus helping swimmers in swimming faster and breaking records.
But what if the swimmer genetically modifies him/herself to achieve such
a body structure?
How long will we ban performance-enhancing technologies in sports?
41. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
42. Will winning and losing in sports of the future be about better programs
or access to better technology?
As the role of technology increases in sports, at some point it will surpass the
importance of actual players. And when players themselves will become
products of technology, then technology will become the sole criterion to win or
lose a game.
“When there's a significant technological advance that might help
Olympians reach new heights, like the infamous (and now banned)
Speedo LZR swimsuits, we all sit up and take notice.”
-Dan Nosowitz,
Freelance writer and editor.
43. 5/9/2014 43
The Winning Criterion
In Formula 1 races, the driver’s endurance is important. However, technology
plays a much bigger role. Computers analyze millions of parameters, generate
hundreds of scenarios and provide the solutions in terms of the right
combination of fuel load, tyre changes, and when and how many pit stops to
make during a race. The races have already become about superior technology
rather than the drivers.
In which other sports will the importance of technology outgrow that of
the sportsperson? Will it be about better programs, software and
44. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
46. At & t stadium
How Stadiums Are Changing
Over the past decade, stadiums have
evolved rapidly to incorporate the
latest trends impacting viewer
experience, brand activation and in-
stadium technology.
Here are two examples:
The Sun Life Stadium -
Collaborated with IBM to create a
connected city experience. This led to
better management of queues and
tickets. New mobile apps for fans
enabled access to latest game scores
and stats, and sharing of images and
viewing videos of games or other
events no matter where they are.
AT & T Stadium – Features world’s
largest HDTV to entertain sport fans.
Sun Life Stadium
47. 5/9/2014 47
E-stadium
Wembley National Stadium Limited and UK mobile network operator EE are
building the new Wembley stadium as the world’s most connected stadium in
the world. It will feature Wi-Fi, high-speed 4G Network coverage and mobile
payments integrated across the stadium.
48. 5/9/2014 48
Space-age Stadium
London based architect Zaha Hadid will be building the iconic ‘National
Stadium of Japan,’ which will host the opening and closing ceremonies of
Tokyo2020. Considered as a possible shrine for sports lovers for next hundred
years, this iconic stadium will feature an exhibition space, retractable roofing
and adjustable seats among many features.
49. 5/9/2014 49
Teleporting Sports
The Japanese have developed technology that enables holographic broadcasts
of sporting events. This will enable the sports fans to sit in a local stadium and
take in the game being played on the field, though the game is actually being
played at a different venue entirely.
Future scenario: Watch a English Primer League match happening in
Wembley, in a stadium in Japan.
50. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
52. How Tech Is Changing Remote Sports Viewing?
The Gen Y Spectator likes multitasking and has a short attention span. They
use mobile phones, tablets, laptops while watching TV.
According to USA Today, 83% of sports fans check social media sites while
watching the game on TV, 63% even browse social media sites while they are
in an actual game weighing in on the action with records and statistics.
The rise of social media platforms to engage with fans and fantasy leagues
have been major contributors in digital technology. Fantasy leagues are
estimated to have a $3-$4 USD impact on the sporting industry.
The emergence of digital and wearable technology has contributed immensely
to remote viewing experiences. Wearable immersive technologies like Oculus
Rift are set to change the way action on screen is viewed and perceived.
53. 5/9/2014 53
Spidercam
Spidercam is a system that enables film and television cameras to move freely
over a predetermined area. It is typically used in the playing fields of sports like
cricket, football or a tennis court. Since 2003, Spidercam is bringing an entirely
new remote viewing experience to sports lovers around the world. One of the
spidercam channels on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/user/wwwspidercamtv
54. 5/9/2014 54
3-D Sports
Considering the enormous amount of interest in watching sports in 3-D, it is
considered as a possible future of television viewing.
55. 5/9/2014 55
Cricket in Theaters
In the year 2010, Indian cricket lovers saw IPL matches in theaters for the first
time. Some of the theaters even added cheerleaders, music to give it the
stadium-like feel. They also had two separate compartments for supporters of
different teams to give the fans the ultimate stadium-like sporting experience.
56. 5/9/2014 56
Sports on the Go
Star Sports has launched its subscription service to let people watch sports on
their mobile phones or tablets while on the move. This is of great help to sports
lovers who miss action due to being in transit.
57. • The Gen Y Fan
• Changing rules and dynamics
• Opponents in the future fields of sports
• Our future heroes
• Sportsmanship
• Ethics and morality in sports
• Sporting records
• Winning and losing
• In-stadia experiences
• Remote viewing experiences
• Everyone becomes a part of the action
Contents
58. Will We Become a Part of the Action?
Technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality and advanced sensing
mechanisms allow people to experience sports. In future, technology might
allow people to become part of the sporting action!
59. Fantasy Sports
A fantasy sport is a game where participants act as owners to build a team that
competes against other fantasy owners based on the statistics generated by the
real individual players or teams of a professional sport. Fantasy sports is
already a 3.8 billion dollar industry. Fantasy sports are engaging many fans
around the world through second screens and letting fans take part in the
action.
What new experiences will the fantasy sports industry bring for the fans?
60. Feel the Action
Australian telecommunications company Foxtel has created a shirt that uses
wearable technology to let viewers experience the physical sensations that
athletes on the field are having.
Example: If a Rugby players gets hit on the field, then the wearer will get
to experience the impact of the hit.
61. Get into the Court
Oculus Rift may soon enable sports viewers to get the feeling that they are
watching sports courtside.
62. On one hand we are entering the sporting action using technologies like VR,
AR, etc., and on the other hand the machines are entering the sporting
fields. Will we become the viewers or will each one of us become sporting
heroes? If we become sporting heroes, then whom will we be competing
against?
The Gen Y fan will demand more excitement as time passes by. Will humans
be able to deliver that excitement without the help of technology? Will
technology just remain a tool to deliver excitement, or will it become the core
of sports? Will ethics, sportsmanship and spirit of the game give way to
excitement?
And in the end sports is all about winning and losing. As technology surpasses
the human skill levels, we will have to decide on whether we compete
against technology using technology or keep it out of sports. Just like in any
sporting event nowadays, it will be interesting to see who takes the final
decision—a human or a machine.
63. This project was conducted by the team at Institute of Customer Experience, a
not-for-profit initiative by Human Factors International:
Ankush Samant ankush.s@humanfactors.com
Apala Chavan apala@humanfactors.com
Kiran Patil kiran.p@humanfactors.com
Prashant Vutha prashant.v@humanfactors.com
Rasika Wadodkar rasika.w@humanfactors.com
Game On…
Source:-
http://www.battleofcali.com/2012/8/9/3223465/transhumanism-and-sports
Image source:-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcw/7713761294/ Image is free to use.
Source:-
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/17/lance-armstrong-stripped-olympic-medal-ioc_n_2494459.html
http://aeon.co/magazine/being-human/steven-poole-human-enhancement/
Image source:-
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/report-armstrong-subject-of-criminal-investigation/228759 Image is free to use.
Source:-
1. http://aeon.co/magazine/world-views/steven-poole-can-algorithms-ever-take-over-from-humans/
Image source:-
http://inspirarch.tumblr.com/page/14 Screenshot from NYTimes Video
Quote: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-eyes-have-it-6147415.html
http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2012/07/tapping-the-gene-pool.cfm
Source:-
http://www.eetimes.com/author.asp?section_id=36&doc_id=1286330
Image source:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LZR_Racer Image is free to use.
Source:-
http://www.fastcodesign.com/3027334/innovation-by-design/the-winter-paralympics-are-the-worlds-best-showcase-of-sports-technolog
Image source:-
http://inspirarch.tumblr.com/page/14 Screenshot from NYTimes Video
Quote: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-eyes-have-it-6147415.html
http://eandt.theiet.org/magazine/2012/07/tapping-the-gene-pool.cfm